Nick and I have taken thousands of photos over the years – here’s a handful of our favourites, and the stories behind the pics… (I’ve put our initials in brackets after each of the photos – so you can see which of us snapped the pic).
Above: This was taken at a church in Jovellanos, Cuba. Two people listening to the sermon – one guy catching some Zzzz’s… (N)
Above: I just LOVE the resourcefulness of Africans! We came across a group of singers and musicians in the most rural parts of Zambia. No money to buy a guitar? No worries – just make one! (He was very proud of his guitar – and I was very moved to hear him play and sing). (H)
Above: I took this photo on our honeymoon in Austria. We were touring a castle in Saltzburg – and this tree was in the centre of the castle courtyard. I like the sun glinting through the snow-laden boughs. (H)
Above: Closer to home in Gordon’s Bay (Cape Town) – these kids were playing soccer on the beach and mistakenly kicked their ball into the sea. Nick went in to retrieve it for them – and I snapped a pic. (H)
Above: A bus full of people in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I loved how all their busses and taxis were so colourfully decorated. (H)
Above: This was taken in Choma, Zambia. The Zambian Orphan Choir was going on a trip to the USA – but they all needed passports (obviously). This is a photo of Prince, one of the singers, getting his passport photo taken. (H)
Above: And this photo is taken of the “Photography Studio” in Choma where the choir members had their passport photos taken. (H)
Above: I like the colours on this one… Nick photographed these candles while we were exploring a very massive and very beautiful church in Salzburg, Austria. (N)
Above: This one brings back nice memories. I was 4 months pregnant with Morgan… floating in a river… in a wildlife reserve – somewhere outside Warmbaths. The day was hot – the water was cool… bliss! (N)
Above: I really like Zambia… full of friendly, hospitable people. This photo was taken just outside Choma – at some kind of Scout camp or event. (H)
Above: This man was in charge of the group above. I just LOVE the labels on his shirt: “Guide”, “Voyager”, “Explorer”, “Ranger”, “Companion”, “Friend”. I want to be those things too! (H)
Above: Another pretty tree picture – overlooking Saltzburg, Austria. Lovely honeymoon memories… (H)
Above: Choma. The youngest member of the Zambian Orphan Choir waiting to get his passport photo taken. (H)
Above: This was in Jovellanos, Cuba. We stayed with a very hospitable family – and that’s their youngest son with his puppy. (H)
Above: I love this photo for the sheer fun of it. The guys actually managing to jump are my friends, Kali and Refilwe. I am the one trying to jump. This was taken somewhere in the Drakensberg during Winter. (N)
Above: Another one of my favourite pics. This is what happens when you show rural children how a digital camera operates. I spent ages playing with them – taking their picture – and then showing them the screen so they could see themselves in action. They loved it. (H)
Above: Same as the pic above – a bunch of very excited children in Choma – playing with my camera. (H)
Above: Choma. Zambia has a lot of home-industries that support women and children. Some very inspiring stuff… (H)
Above: This was taken in Santa Clara, Cuba. Nick and I weren’t married at the time – we were very platonic friends. For the whole duration of our visit to Santa Clara, the man (in the photo above) called me “Fatty Girl”. He seemed to think it was a compliment. Afterwards – he sent me a letter proposing marriage! Eeeek! (N)
Above: Nick took this lovely photo of a sunbird on top of Table Mountain (Cape Town). (N)
Above: Closer to home in Khetani Township (KwaZulu Natal) – this is a picture of Sebenzile and her children. Sebenzile was one of my Role Models for the Tapestry of Dreams project. (N)
Above: Nick saw this written on one of the drums – in a church – in Jovellanos, Cuba. (N)
Above: I don’t know who took this pic – because I wasn’t there. I just think it’s such a funny image of Nick and his business partner, Joel – sitting on top of a newly captured croc (in Honduras or Costa Rica – can’t remember which).
Above: Members of the Zambian Orphan Choir doing each others’ hair. (H)
Above: I have always loved this picture of this man selling potatoes in Kaduna, Nigeria. (H)
Above: Another one of our Tapestry of Dreams “Role Models” – Zanele. This was taken outside of the home she shared with her son and her mother in Khetani Township, KwaZulu Natal. Sadly, her mother (pictured in the background) passed away a few short months later. (N)
Above: Another one of my favourite photos. This was taken in a combination community / church meeting in the very rural parts of Zambia (quite a drive to get there). After the meeting, they served us a very delicious meal… such a wonderful, hospitable community.
Above: This was taken in Kaduna, Nigeria. I love the colours! (H)
Above: I’ll never forget this story. We were sitting in a church service (in Jovellanos, Cuba) – and there was a local man who always used to stand outside and watch the service through the window. We asked why he didn’t just join everyone inside – and there were a number of responses. Some people said it was because he was shy… others said he was a hermit… others said he was a bit strange-in-the-head… and someone even said that it was because he smelled too bad. (N)
Above: This was taken at Monkey Valley Lodge outside of Cape Town. I was one of the speakers at the Cell C Girl Achiever Bootcamp. This photo is of some of the girls working on a collage project I had given them. I have loads of beautiful memories from that camp – and I’m still in contact with a number of the girls.
Above: Jovellanos, Cuba (N)
Well – that’s all for now. I have hundreds of photos I could add in this blog… so many memories and experiences – priceless stuff! But I’m procrastinating horribly on other work. So – I’ll end off for now. Thanks for reading! 🙂